Monday, 24 August 2015

Construction of Oasis Terraces underway in Punggol

Located next to the Oasis LRT Station, the neighbourhood centre will house childcare centres, the Punggol Polyclinic, a community plaza, as well as retail and dining facilities under one roof.By Calvin Hui, Channel NewsAsia, 22 Aug 2015

Residents in Punggol can look forward to a new generation neighbourhood centre in Oasis Terraces. When completed in the first half of 2018, it will house childcare centres, the upcoming Punggol Polyclinic, a community plaza as well as retail and dining facilities, all under one roof.

Located next to the Oasis LRT station, by Punggol Waterway, the development follows a decision by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in recent years to start building neighbourhood centres again in newer HDB towns.

At its foundation-laying ceremony on Saturday (Aug 22), National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan noted that Oasis Terraces is being built with the needs of residents in mind. HDB had held focus group discussions with residents.Said Mr Khaw: "This place called Oasis Terraces ... It is designed by us, built by us, planned by us and we make great effort to make sure it is something that suits what the residents need.

"And that's why, together with the local MPs and advisors, we make great effort to reach out - small groups, consultation, focus group discussions - to find out from you residents, (because) you will be living here. Presumably you will be making use of the neighbourhood centre. What do you want? What tops your wishlist?"

A Punggol North resident, 68-year-old Madam Doreen Poh, said she was looking forward to the centre: "We mentioned that we would like to see a polyclinic here, a hawker centre, and a comprehensive childcare centre - a building by itself, like a primary school. So that there are suitable and complete facilities for the little children being taken care of there."

Oasis Terraces has been shortlisted as a finalist for the 2015 World Architecture Festival for its unique design concept for mixed-use development. It is one of several new developments in Punggol Town.Also speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean - who is a Member of Parliament for the Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency - noted that efforts are underway to ensure there are enough amenities to meet the needs of residents moving to Punggol, especially young families.

"There is more to look forward to," he said. "The new Waterway Point Mall will be ready by the first quarter of next year. Three more primary schools and childcare centres will open in 2016. We launched one yesterday in Punggol, with 500 places for children.

"The Safra clubhouse will be ready by 2016, co-located with the new regional sports centre, which will be ready by 2019, all integrated with the beautiful Punggol Waterway. There will be a new CC in Punggol West."

HDB is building three other such neighbourhood centres - one more in Punggol and one each in Sembawang and Hougang.